Job Discussion Forums

[Deicide]

seems to be somewhat impossible...without good Japanese, a masters, etc...I am losing hope the more research I do...anyway...

What exactly are ALT's, what does it involve? How can one get such a position? What is pay, holiday like? cheers...

[Like a Rolling Stone]

Japan is a jog through thepark. many jobs here

[Glenski]

Deicide,
You should make your situation clearer to everyone so that they understand where you are coming from.

What sort of qualifications do you have?
Where are you living now?
Are you a native English speaker?
What kind of job do you think requires a master's degree?

Those sorts of things.

I know something of your situation, but others here do not. Without knowing, people could easily say that getting an entry level job here is pretty straightforward, whether one is in their home country or in Japan. Explain your details and goals.

ALT = assistant language teacher
2 varieties: JET Program (or similar, like Earlham College's program) or dispatch agency ALT

A --> assistant, so you assist a Japanese teacher. Just how much depends on the teacher (and dispatch agency if you go through one)
The work is in public schools mostly, so class sizes are smaller than in private schools (30 vs. 40 or greater). Textbooks are assigned from the government. You work from 9 to 5 roughly. You may have 2 or 5 classes per day, and when you are not teaching, you do whatever is necessary (plan lessons with the JTE, make photocopies, correct homework, improve your Japanese, take part in the English club, etc.). I don't think ALTs are expected to take part in staff meetings, so you avoid those headaches, and you get to go home at a reasonable hour. However, depending on your JET or dispatch agency assignment, you may have to teach at 2 to 10 schools in one area, which involves some travel.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[Deicide]

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